The short answer
Ten days gives room for a short trek or a pilgrimage. One strong plan: three days in the valley, two in Pokhara, a four-day Poon Hill or Annapurna foothills trek and a day to return. Another plan: valley, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini for a culture and wildlife loop.
Choose trekking or lowlands, not both at full length. Ten days is enough for either if you resist the urge to add one more stop.
Key facts
- Plan A
- Valley + Pokhara + short trek
- Plan B
- Valley + Pokhara + Chitwan + Lumbini
- Long days
- 3 to 4
- Buffer
- 1 spare day
How it works
- Pick a themeTrek or lowland loop.
- Fix the anchorTrek dates or Lumbini.
- Add the valleyThree days.
- Place buffersOne spare.
- Book flights earlyPeak season.
Room for a short trek
Ten days allows a short trek such as Poon Hill. Spend three days in the valley, two in Pokhara, four on the trek and a day to return. Alternatively add Chitwan and Lumbini.
The extra days allow weather buffers.
Balancing effort and rest
Put active days between rest days, and avoid back-to-back long drives. Agree the pace with your operator.
Insider tip
Keep a spare day before your departure flight, especially after a trek.
Avoid this
Do not combine Everest and Lumbini in the same ten days.
Related questions
Can I do Everest Base Camp in 10 days?
Not comfortably; plan 12 to 14 days.
Is Lumbini far?
A full day by road from Kathmandu or a short flight to Bhairahawa.
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